Official CBSE 2025-26 Sample Papers Out Now for Class 10 & 12 - Direct Links Inside
The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has taken a significant step forward in supporting students' preparation for the upcoming board examinations by releasing sample question papers for the academic session 2025-26. According to the CBSE board exam schedule, the CBSE Board exam will be conducted in February 2026, giving students adequate time to prepare using these official resources.
a) Key Highlights of CBSE 2025-26 Sample Papers
The newly released sample question papers for 2025-26 and marking schemes/ solutions for SQP 2025-26 represent a very important resource for Class 10 and Class 12 students preparing for their board examinations. CBSE sample paper 2025-26 is based on the new syllabus. This sample question paper has a variety of questions which includes case studies, objective questions and descriptive questions.
b) Major Features and Changes:
The 2025-26 sample papers incorporate several important updates aligned with the National Education Policy (NEP) framework. These papers reflect the board's commitment to competency-based assessment and include a balanced mix of objective and application-based questions. The structure emphasizes practical knowledge application rather than rote learning.
Students will find multiple-choice questions (MCQs), competency-based questions, case-based problems, assertion-reasoning type questions, and traditional short and long answer questions. This question pattern makes sure comprehensive evaluation of students' understanding across different cognitive levels.
Latest CBSE Subject-wise Sample Papers - Download Directly
Given below are direct download links for FREE PDFs of Class 10th and 12th Sample Papers.
1) Class 10 Sample Papers 2025-26
The Class 10 sample papers cover all core subjects essential for secondary education:
| Subject | Download Link | Marking Scheme/ Solutions |
|---|---|---|
| Mathematics (Basic) | Download PDF | View MS |
| Mathematics (Standard) | Download PDF | View MS |
| Science | Download PDF | View MS |
| English (Language & Literature) | Download PDF | View MS |
| Hindi 'A' | Download PDF | View MS |
| Hindi 'B' | Download PDF | View MS |
| Social Science | Download PDF | View MS |
| Computer Applications | Download PDF | View MS |
| Sanskrit | Download PDF | View MS |
2) Class 12 Sample Papers 2025-26
The Class 12 sample papers cater to all major streams including Science, Commerce, and Arts:
| Subject | Download Link | Marking Scheme/ Solutions |
|---|---|---|
| Physics | Download PDF | View MS |
| Chemistry | Download PDF | View MS |
| Biology | Download PDF | View MS |
| Mathematics | Download PDF | View MS |
| Applied Mathematics | Download PDF | View MS |
| Business Studies | Download PDF | View MS |
| Accountancy | Download PDF | View MS |
| Economics | Download PDF | View MS |
| History | Download PDF | View MS |
| Political Science | Download PDF | View MS |
| Geography | Download PDF | View MS |
| Psychology | Download PDF | View MS |
| Hindi Core | Download PDF | View MS |
| English Core | Download PDF | View MS |
| Computer Science | Download PDF | View MS |
| Physical Education | Download PDF | View MS |
c) How to Access Official Sample Papers 2025-26?
Students can access the official CBSE sample papers through the following method:
- Visit the official CBSE Academic portal
- Navigate to the 'Sample Question Papers' section
- Select your class (10 or 12)
- Choose the required subject
- Download both the sample question paper and marking scheme
d) Important Exam Timeline
The board examinations for the academic session 2025-26 are scheduled to commence in February 2026. Students should note the following tentative timeline:
| Event | Class 10 | Class 12 |
|---|---|---|
| Exam Commencement | February 2026 | February 2026 |
| Expected Result Declaration | April 2026 | May 2026 |
Preparation Strategy by Experts to Ace your Board Exams 2026
Education experts recommend a systematic approach to utilizing these sample papers effectively. Let's go through this:
- Start with the syllabus: Thoroughly review the latest cbse class 10th syllabus and class 12th syllabus before attempting the sample papers to align your preparation with the actual exam content.
- Understand the new question pattern: Familiarize yourself with the updated typology including competency-based questions, MCQs, and case-based questions.
- Practice with time-bound mock tests: Solve the official sample papers under exam-like conditions to build speed, accuracy, and confidence.
- Use the marking schemes smartly: Refer to the official marking schemes provided with each paper to understand the evaluation criteria.
- Analyze answer formats: Study how marks are distributed across different types of responses to structure your answers more effectively.
- Identify improvement areas: Compare your responses with model solutions to pinpoint weaknesses and refine your exam strategy.
Significance of Sample Papers 2025-26 for Board Exam Preparation
These official sample papers serve as the most authentic preparation material available to students.
- Designed by CBSE exam-setters: These official papers are created by the same subject experts who design the actual board exam papers, ensuring full alignment with the real exam standards.
- Accurate representation of exam format: Unlike third-party practice books, these papers mirror the exact structure, tone, and difficulty level of the upcoming board exams.
- Topic-wise weightage clarity: Students can clearly see how marks are distributed across different chapters and topics, helping them prioritize revision efficiently.
- Focus on application-based learning: The inclusion of competency-based questions reflects CBSE's shift toward assessing real-world understanding and analytical skills.
The release of CBSE 2025-26 sample papers marks an important milestone in board exam preparation. Students are advised to download these papers immediately and incorporate them into their study routine.
Regular practice with these official resources, combined with thorough concept revision, will significantly enhance examination performance. The board continues to support students through various initiatives, and these sample papers represent a crucial step in ensuring comprehensive exam preparation.
All the best for your preparations!